Exchangeable printing drum die holder means



Jan. 26, 1965 R. H. GARTSIDE ETAL 3,

EXCHANGEABLE PRINTING DRUM DIE HOLDER MEANS Filed Dec. 9, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 50 SEE i i e 0N6 a ANA/9 77-1512 A 1' rams/tr R. H. GARTSIDE ETAL 3,167,011

Jan. 26, 1965 EXCHANGEABLE PRINTING DRUM DIE HOLDER MEANS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 9, 1965 Rcwee/ZG THE/k A 7" T'OEA/E Y R. H. GARTSIDE ETAL Jan. 26, 1965 EXCHANGEABLE PRINTING DRUM DIE HOLDER MEANS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 9, 1963 INVENTOR-S fiodezHGAers/as' 45 BDGA/A 1.0 FPAHMO THE/R A 1' roeue'v Jan. 26, 1965 R. H. GARTSIDE ETAL 3,167,011

EXCHANGEABLE PRINTING DRUM DIE HOLDER MEANS Filed Dec. 9, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTO Rae's: H. GAE 7'.s/0 DONALD E PAN/U0 7745a ATTORNEY R. H. GARTSIDE ETAL 3,167,011

EXCHANGEABLE PRINTING DRUM DIE HOLDER MEANS e Sheets-Sheet s a 90 (Sila mat m 7 I0? @Qw 0a 90 Jan. 26, 1965 Filed Dec. 9, 1963 INVENTORS AETS/DE 4 gov/140E PANNO T1512 Arraeuev Fig.1?

United States Patent 3,167,tll1 EXCHANGEABLE PRiNiTlN-G DRUM DEE HULDER MEANS Roger H. Gartside, Shaier Township, Allegheny County,

and Donald l. Panno, Mcifiiees Roche, Pa, assignors to The Pannier Corporation, Pittsburgh, lPa., a corporation of Fennsyivania Filed Dec. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 329,932 5 (Iiaims. ((Ii. 101-373) This invention relates to printing apparatus and more particularly to a printing die holder used in high speed printing apparatus.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of a printing die holder suitable for operation in high speed printing apparatus.

In prior applications it has been necessary to make use of separate tools in order to change dies on a high speed printer. The die had to be slipped within a slot opening, bolted or clamped to the die holder by some means in order to insure that the die was properly secured before operating at high speeds. Operation at high speeds produces great strain on the die due to centrifugal forces. Furthermore, there is a continual contact by the die printing surface with the material being printed producing a hammering action on the die which causes further strain on the die construction as well as the means used to secure the die to the die holder. The present invention eliminates these problems by providing a printing die holder which permits fast die change without the use of any type of separate tool for engaging or disengaging the printing :die from the die holder.

Another object is the provision of a printing die holder which permits fast changing of printing dies and yet positively contains the inserted die at high printing speeds such as 3,000 to 3,500 feet/minute.

Another object is the provision of a spring supported shoe in a printing die holder to support the printing die in its printing position and absonb the shock due to the constant hammering action caused by the die making contact with the material being printed. This spring biased shoe construction permits uniform printing intensity on the surface of the material being printed. Furthermore, if there is any maladjustment in the printer or printing mechanism causing excessive pressure to develop between the printing surface of the die and the material being printed or the ink transfer roller, the spring biased shoe will retract into the die holder until such problem has been eliminated. This feature protects not only the printer itself from any possible damage but also the printing die and backup plate.

Another object comprising this invention is the provision of a latching means to hold the spring biased shoe in retracted position in the die holder so that the printing die may be quickly changed.

Another object is the provision of a mouth in the printing die holder to enable the printing die to be readily changed. The die holder mouth also is provided with stops to retain the printing die in the correct printing position and prevent the die from ejecting from the die holder when the die is placed in printing position.

Another object is the provision of a releasing mechanism to release the shoe lock to cause the spring biased shoe to place the printing die in the correct printing position.

Other objects and advantages appear hereinafter in the following description and claims.

The accompanying drawings show for the purpose of exemplification without limiting this invention or the claims thereto certain practical embodiments illustrating the principles of this invention; wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the high speed printer 3,167,011 Patented Jan. 26, 1965 and die holder comprising this invention including the ink supplying means with printing die in printing position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the die retraction lever in position to retract the printing die within the die holder.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the printing die and shoe in retracted position and automatically held in such position by the latching means.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the removal of the die and its backup plate from the printing die holder while the shoe is in retracted and latched position.

FlG. 5 is a perspective view showing the printing die being placed into printing position upon releasing the shoe from retracted and latched position.

PEG. 6 is a side view of the printer with the printing die holder comprising this invention with parts shown in section.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the printer and the die holder comprising this invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the die receiving chamber for the die holder comprising this invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8 of the die receiving chamber and the shoe lock for the die holder comprising this invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the shoe lock for the die holder comprising this invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the shoe for the die holder comprising this invention.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the shoe for the die holder comprising this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 the high speed printer ll consists of a frame 2 having arms 3 and 4 at one end and arms 5 and 6 at the other end. Suitable bearings 7 are placed in the arms 3 and 4 to rotatably support the shaft 8. Between the arms 3 and 4, the printing drum 10 is secured to rotate with. shaft 8. The drum contains the die holder 11 into which the printing die 12 is inserted. The printing die 12 consists of a rubber printing portion 9 and metal supporting or backup plate 1.9 which is usually made of brass. These are bonded together in a suitable manner.

Contact wheels 13 are secured to the ends of the shaft 3 by means of castle nuts 14. The rims of the wheels 13 are provided with semi-pneumatic tires on solid rubber coverings 15 which insure good contact with the drive roller 16 or with material 17 if the printer 1 is in printing operation.

The end of the arms 5 and 6 are secured to the mounting plate 2% with machine bolts 18. The mounting plate 20 may then be attached to a stationary supporting structure to permit the printer l to rotatably print.

The ends of each of the arms 5 and 6 are bifurcated as shown in PEG. 6 to permit insertion of the slidable bearings 21 and 2.2 which carry respectively the shafts 23 and 2d. Shaft 23 carries a transfer roller 25 which is in contact with the ink felt roller 26. Ink is supplied by the ink roller 26 to the transfer roller 25 which transfers ink to the printing die 12 upon rotation of the same.

The slidable bearings 22 have end portions 27 to which the studs 28 are threadably secured. Compression springs 3% on these studs insure uniform contact between the transfer roller 25 and the ink felt roller 26. Jam nuts 31 secure the ink felt roller in the proper ink transferring position. Not only do the compression springs 3i insure good contact between the rollers but also will permit the rollers 25 and 25 to recede or slide rearwardly in arms 5'5 and 6 when the transfer roller 25 comes in contact with the printing die 12 which protrudes from the perimetral surface of the printing die holder It) as seen in P16. 6.

The shaft 23 supports the drive rollers 33 which are in rotatable engagement with the wheels 13. Castle nuts 34 secure the rollers 33 to the shaft 23. It should be noted that the perimetral surface of the printing die 12 and the perimeter of Wheels 13 are equally distant from the center of the shaft 8. Also the drive rollers 33 have a diameter equal to that of transfer roller 25. As a result :the transfer roller will rotate at a speed proportionately equal to that of the printing drum 10. There is complete rolling action upon contact of the surface of the printingdie 12 with the surface of the transfer roller 25. Therefore, no resultant slippage is experienced upon the contact of these elements.

A lever 35 is secured to the pivot blocks 36 by the pivot shaft 37. The lever 35 is used to depress the die 12 within the die holder 11 for the removal of the die. To prevent possible oscillation by the lever 35 during operation of the printer, a lock 38 is provided. As seen in FIGQ7 the lock 38 consists of a release knob 48 which is secured to a pin 41 which extends through the sleeve 42. The spring 43 maintains the release knob 46 in contact -wi=ththe sleeve 42 so that the free end of the pin 41 will protrude outside the supporting plate 44. To secure the lever 35 in the position shown in FIG. 6 the release knob is retracted permitting the free end of the pin 41 to be inserted into the end of cylindrical handle 45 of the lever 35. To release the lever 35, the release knob 48 is again retracted and the lever 35 may pi votally swing into the position for depressing the die 12 into the die holder 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a spray housing 46 is provided for housing the spray nozzle 47. In this way the ink sprayed from nozzle 47 is directed to the surface of the ink felt roller 26 which absorbs the ink to keep a plentiful supply of ink on hand for the transfer roller 25. Ink is supplied under pressure to the nozzle 47 from the tank 48. The tank 48 is maintained under pressure through the tank inlet 50. Regulator 51 provides the proper air pressure which can be seen on the gauge 52. Ink supply outlet 53 supplies ink to line 55 and air Supply outlet 54 supplies air to line 56 to the pipe nipples 57 and 58 respectively. The solenoid valves 68 are placed in the lines 55 and 56 to open the lines 55 and 56 upon energizing of the same. Control switch 61 supplies the electrical power to the valves 68 to electrically operate the same and also supplies power to an electric motor 62 "which is supported on the frame 63.

The motor 62 is suitably connected to the drive roller 16 to rotate the same. The roller 16 is supported by the bearings 64 on the frame 63 and cooperates with the printer 1 to feed the material 17 to be printed. Thus when the swtich 61 is placed in closed position the drive roller 16 begins to operate and the valves 68 will open to permit a continuous ink supply to the spray nozzle 47.

The printer 1 is supported for printing operations by the lateral support member 65 to which the mounting plate 20 is secured. The member 65 is in turn supported by some means such as side plates 66 to the rearward end of the frame 63.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 a portion of the printing drum 10 carries the die holder 11 in which the shoe 67 is slidably engaged within the chamber 68 tosupport the printing die 12. The chamber 68 is welded to the drum 10 as shown at 69. The chamber 68 has a mouth 70 into which, at one end, the die 12 may be placed into the chamber 68. At the other end there are stops 71 to retain the die within the chamber 68 and in printing position as shown in FIG. 6. Guides or ramps 72 are placed on the end walls 73 and 74 of the chamber 68 to s'lid'ably engage the guide grooves 75 of the shoe The end plates 76 are identical and each have guides 77 secured to their inside surfaces by bolts 78. The guides 77 slidably engage the guide grooves 88 of the shoe 67. The guide grooves and guides 72 above mentioned maintain theshoe 67 in aligned position within 4 the chamber 68 so that the shoe will properly guide the printing die 12 into printing position. To improve the operation of the shoe 67 within the chamber 68, the shoe 67 may be made of lightweight aluminum.

The side walls 76 are secured by means of bolts 81 to the chamber end walls 73 and 74 and bottom 79.

The mouth 78 is formed within the annular top 82. The stops 71 are actually a flange which extends around one end of the mouth 78 even though such a structure is not necessary. Stops 71 may rather be in the form of protrusions extending inwardly from the top 82. The stops '71 at one end of the mouth 70 permit the insertion of the die 12 in the other end of the mouth. However, once the die is placed upon the shoe 67 and in printing position, the stops 71 prevent the die 12 and the shoe 67 from extending out of the chamber 68.

If it is found necessary at any time to remove the shoe 67 from the die chamber 68, the side plates 76.are removed and the shoe may be taken diagonally out of the chamber 68.

As shown in FlGS. 11 and 12, the shoe 67 has a recess 83 into which the die backup plate 19 of the die 12 is placed. The recess 83 helps to maintain the die in its proper printing position. The shoe 67 is recessed to a large extent at 84 to make the shoe lighter in weight and, therefore, improve its operation Within the chamber 68.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 the shoe lock 85 is a flat rectangular plate 86 with a U-shaped portion 87 at one end. The handle 88 is welded to the U-shaped portion 87. The plate 86 contains four guide slots 90 through which the lock 85 is secured to the bottom of the chamber 68 by means of machine screws 91 and 92. Thus the lock 85 is permitted to slide back and forth under thechamber 68 within the limits of the slots 98. The two screws 91 dilfer from the two screws 92 in that the former have an annular groove 93 in their heads to retain the rings 94 to which the locking springs 95 are secured. The other ends of the springs 95 are secured to rings 96 which are placed on the shafts of the bolts 97 before these bolts are placed in openings 98 and welded at 108. The locking springs 95 then continually force the lock 85 to take the position as shown in FIG. 9 until the handle88 is pulled to the right in that view. Once the handle 88 is released, the lock 85 will return to a position to the right in FIG. 9 as it is held open by the shoulders of the bayonet slots 102.

The bolts 97 are welded into position so as not to protrude above the top surface 181 of the plate 86 and interfere with the sliding operation of the lock 85.

In the center of the plate 86 there is provided bayonet slots 102. The large portions 183 of the bayonet slots 102 have the same diameter as the holes 184 in the bottom 79 of the chamber 68. FIG. 6 shows the printing die holder 11 assembled together.

Studs or bolts 185 with shoulders 106 are provided with annular notches 187. The studs pass through the large portions 183a of the bayonet slots 102 and then through the holes 184 of the chamber 68 and'threadably engage the shoe at 188 in the recess 84. Compression springs 118 are provided over the studs 105 before engagement with the shoe 67 to apply constant pressure on the shoe so that it will maintain the position as shown in FIG. 6.

The shoe 67 and die 12 are depressed by hand or by lever 35. As the shoe 67 is depressed the notches 187 will pass through the bayonet slots 102. Since the notches 187 have the same or less diameter than the small portions 1031b of bayonet slots 182, the springs 95 will compel the shoe lock 85 to move from right to left in FIG. 6 a distance equal to the length of the small portions 18%. The shoulders 189 of the studs 105 will prevent the compression springs 11%) from forcing the shoe and die back into printing position until the handle 88 is pulled releasing the small portions 10312 from the shoulders 109 and permitting the studs 195 to pass through the large portions 103a caused by the force of the compression springs 110. FIG. 9 shows the shoe 67 in locked position as described.

This simple lock structure permits one to change the.

die 12 conveniently and readily and yet provides a printing structure which safely retains the die when the printer is operating under high speeds.

FIGS. 2 through 5 inclusive represent a sequence of the manner of operation in removing the printing die 12 from the die holder 11 or inserting another printing die 12 into the die holder 11.

As shown in FIG. 2 the die retraction lever 35 is swiveled from its pivot point into a position where the elbow 111 makes contact with the rubber printing portion 9 of the printing die 12. With the lever 35 in this position, the operator merely pushes down on the end of the lever 35 in order to forcibly retract the printing die 12 along with shoe 67 down into the die holder chamber 68. As the shoe 67 is retracted the studs 105 will pass through the bottom of the chamber 68 until the notches 107 come in passing engagement with the bayonet slots 102 whereupon the springs 95 of the shoe lock or latch 85 will force the small portions 103!) of the bayonet slots 102 of the shoe latch to engage the annular notches 107. The shoulders 109 of the studs 105 in cooperation with the bayonet slots maintain the shoe 67 in temporary retracted position. FIG. 3 shows the printing die and shoe being placed in this retracted position and being automatically held in this position due to the shoe latch as previously described.

The next step is to remove the printing die 12 from the die holder 11 while the shoe is in the retracted and locked position. FIG. 4 shows the die being removed. This is accomplished by placing the printing die in a diagonal position within the die holder 11 and removing the same along with the backup plate 19 through the die holder mouth or opening 70. The printing die 12 can only be removed from the chamber 68 by placing it in this diagonal position.

With the shoe 67 held in retracted and locked position by the shoe latch 85, the operator may then proceed to insert a new printing die 12 by placing the same through the opening or mouth 70 in a position diagonal to the chamber 68. When the printing die has been inserted as such into the chamber 68, the chamber 68 having a longer length than the backup plate 19, the printing die 12 will slip or fall from its diagonal position on to the surface of the shoe 67 Where it may engage the recess 83 which maintains the die in its proper position for printing.

After the die has been inserted into the chamber 68 the operator may then release the shoe 67 from its retracted and locked position as shown in FIG. 5 by disengaging the small portions 1031'; from the shoulders 109 of the studs 105 by pulling the handle 88. The compression springs 110 mounted on the studs will. force the shoe 6'7 and the die holder 12 into the printing position as shown in FIG. 5. Thus the cycle and operation of changing dies is completed and the high speed printing apparatus is again ready to function.

When it becomes necessary to change the printing die the operator need merely to stop the high. speed printing apparatus and follow the sequence as above explained and pictorially shown in FIGS. 2 through 5 inclusive.

The embodiment shown in the drawings and described above is given merely for the purposes of explanation and illustration without intending to limit the scope of the claims to the specific details disclosed. It should be understood that the description of the preferred forms of the invention are for the purpose of complying with Sec- 7 tion 112, Title 35 of the US. Code and that the claims should be construed as broadly as prior art will permit.

We claim:

1. A printing die holder comprising an annular printing drum, a die receiving chamber in said drum having an outwardly open mouth, a printing die for mounting in said chamber, stops in the perimeter of said mouth to hold said die in printing position in the perimeter of said drum, a shoe slidably mounted within said chamber, studs extending through the bottom of said chamber engaging the bottom of said shoe, notches in said studs in the same plane in the stem of said studs, compression springs mounted upon said studs to continually press said shoe against said stops, a shoe latch slidably secured to the bottom of said chamber, bayonet slots in said shoe latch through which said studs extend, shoe latch springs to slide said latch so that said bayonet slots will engage said notches upon retraction of said shoe.

2. The structure of claim 1 including lateral guides within said chamber to engage lateral slots in said shoe to hold said shoe in aligned position upon compression or retraction of the same.

3. The structure of claim 1 including a recessed surface inthe top of said shoe to engage and hold said die in proper printing engagement.

4. The structure of claim 1 including a die depressing means to enter said mouth and forcibly retract said shoe until locked into position by the cooperation of said shoe latch and said notches.

5. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that said stops are positioned so as to not interefere with the removal of said printing die except when said printing die is in proper printing position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 561,573 Dolphin June 9, 1896 587,261 Jahn July 27, 1897 2,760,433 Castleton Aug. 28, 1956 

1. A PRINTING DIE HOLDER COMPRISING AN ANNULAR PRINTING DRUM, A DIE RECEIVING CHAMBER IN SAID DRUM HAVING AN OUTWARDLY OPEN MOUTH, A PRINTING DIE FOR MOUNTING IN SAID CHAMBER, STOPS IN THE PERIMETER OF SAID MOUTH TO HOLD SAID DIE IN PRINTING POSITION INT EH PERIMETER OF SAID DRUM, A SHOE SLIDABLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAID CHAMBER, STUDS EXTENDING THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF SAID CHAMBER ENGAGING THE BOTTOM OF SAID SHOE, NOTCHES IN SAID STUDS IN THE SAME PLANE IN THE STEM OF SAID STUDS, COMPRESSION SPRINGS MOUNTED UPON SAID STUDS TO CONTINUALLY PRESS SAID SHOE AGAINST SAID STOPS A SHOE LATCH SLIDABLY SECURED TO THE BOTTOM OF SAID CHAMBER, BAYONET SLOTS IN SAID SHOE LATCH THROUGH WHICH SAID STUDS EXTEND, SHOE LATCH SPRINGS TO SLIDE SAID LATCH SO THAT SAID BAYONET SLOTS WILL ENGAGE SAID NOTCHES UPON RETRACTION OF SAID SHOE. 